Buses and Coaches - Peninsula Malaysia

KLIA (Kuala Lumpur International Airport) is the largest international airport in Malaysia. It serves the departures and arrivals of various international and domestic flight. It is located at 60 kilometres away from Kuala Lumpur city and it is nearby, federal administrative centre of Malaysia, Putrajaya and Sepang area which is the venue for Malaysia Formula One Grand Prix.

Once a year, Batu Caves become the centre of a great religious procession. Almost 1 million people pay homage to the highly revered deity, Lord Murugan during the 3-day long festival. Thaipusam falls on the tenth day of the month of Thai in the Hindu Almanac and that would usually be in late January or early February.

Alor Setar is the capital of Kedah and provides easy access to the Thai border and the rest of Kedah. Like all towns in Kedah, Alor Setar still retains its old world charms and is the place to visit if you want to be 'Far from the Madding Crowd'.

illiam Smith snapped up his invitation to work together and made a huge profit from these projects. With the money, he purchased 900acres of land just south of Ipoh and cleared the jungle for his rubber plantation and homely estate. He named this estate, Kinta Kellas

Bidor was once one of those towns that travellers had to stop by for a meal before heading off to Cameron Highlands or up North towards Ipoh , Penang etc. But that all changed when the North South Highway was built, bypassing these thriving towns and leaving them to empty out in due time. But Bidor holds on strong due to its famous eateries serving specialities such as Duck Noodle Soup and lots of chinese snacks like Sat Keh Ma, Kai Chai Peng

The river terrapin conservation centre is located in Bota. Fast dwindling species due to river pollution, over harvesting of eggs as well as habitat destruction, the more threatening situation nowadays is illegal wildlife trafficking

Henri Fauconnier, a novelist who wrote the best selling book, “The Soul of Malaya” observed, ‘In Malaya the seasons are hardly distinct. You do not die a little every year, as in Europe at the en d of Autumn. You cease to think of Date or Time.’

Grik is the last town before heading off on the east-west highway. This town is full of shady characters.. it's worth a visit just for that and to get a sniff of what's illegally happening in the vast jungles within

Ipoh is the state capital of Perak, a city that made its fortune in the early part of the 20th century in tin mining, earning it the nickname “City of Millionaires”. A predominantly Chinese city, Ipoh is famous for many unique dishes like Dim Sum, Hor Fun (flat noodle) and Bean Sprout Chicken, and also for being the hometown of international stars such as Michelle Yeoh.

Comfortably cradled in a crook of Perak River, Kuala Kangsar is a well preserved old Royal Town where its serenity and its well-maintained old palaces are worth a mention. This place must have had a strange effect on Sultan Yusuf Sharifuddin Mudzaffar Sh

Kuala Perlis was a little fishing village not too long ago until changes started to happen in Langkawi. That also influenced the development of this sleepy little town into a stoppver point for those taking the ferry across to Langkawi and also where those wanting to bring along their vehicles to Langkawi can transport them over from this port

I remember a long time ago on a search for the original resting place of the Perak Man, we stumbled upon a small cluster of kampung houses in Gong Badak where the makcik sunning her harvest of Kapok took the time to lead us up a hilly path to a shallow cave. What we saw still sticks in our minds till this day,,,

Kroh is now known as Pengkalan Hulu. What used to be once a small mining and logging town, now has, like many small towns in Malaysia , turned into a non-descript place where nothing really sticks to mind except for its starkness and architectural failures

Butterworth Bus Terminal also known as Penang Sentral is the hub where the KTM train station is located as well as the Penang Island-Butterworth Ferry Terminal together with the outstation bus terminal. There is a massive construction going on there for the new Penang Sentral station so the area is a little haphazard until the new building is completed

Driving around Georgetown is complicated. The one-way street system is confusing and weekend traffic is debilitating. My travel partner likens it to a game on the pinball machine! The island itself has its own identity and pace only islanders are familiar with. Trishaws can be seen coming down the opposite way on a one-way street, totally oblivious to the obvious congestion they cause along the way.

Sungai Petani or Sg. Petani is located about 50km from Alor Setar, the capital of Kedah. More known for its industial zones where a number of foreign companies have set up their plants. Not much else to entice..

But ironically, Taiping was built on money, greed, power and was embalmed in civil wars, spilt blood and sufferings. In the late 1800's , Malaya was a treasure island dripping with riches off leaves of the trees with timber, tin and other natural resources aplenty and many Chinese were brought in from China to mine for tin.

Hatyai is located in the province of Songkla, south of Thailand. The town is popular with Malaysians who go for short shopping trips as well as cheap, good chinese food, thai massage and then some more....

Fraser's Hill still retains its old colonial charm and should not to be missed. It is almost as if time has stood still for the 1,000 or so residents.About 103km from Kuala Lumpur is an area of seven hills originally named Ulu Tras just coming down

Kuala Besut jetty is the more popular exit point to the Perhentian Islands. Most outstation buses stop at Jertih (Jerteh) enroute to/from Kota Bahru. From Jertih, take a taxi to Kuala Besut only 20minutes drive away.

Pockets of local life shine through as one wanders through the busy streets. Old trishaws still ply the streets for a few ringgit, usually transporting housewives to and from the central market. Coffee shops like 'The Sumatra Eating Shop' at Jalan Hulu Pagar, just a skip away from the Old Market Building (Food Bazaar & Local Products) caters to the local community, a number of them , regulars from way back then.

When the humans came to build a big dam before I was born, they came to take away the trees from the valleys and the low lands. Nenek remembers those days very well (1978 - 1985). There was much activity in Kenyir. The big tree eating animals (tractors) were swarming around looking for big juicy trees to eat

Religious sites include the Sultan Abu Bakar Mosque which was constructed in 1900 and the Arulmigu Sri Rajakaliamman Hindu Temple. The Sultan Abu Bakar Royal Palace was constructed in 1866 and it is now a museum with popular exhibitions. To see modern Malay art go to the Johor Bahru Art Gallery which displays some remarkable pieces of work that reflect the vibrant Malay culture. The Istana Garden is a good place to escape the hustle and bustle of the city and enjoy sports facilities such as badminton.

Kluang was founded in 1915 as the administrative capital for central Johor.[2] The main railway line linking north to south Malaya was built passing through Kluang and this helped in its growth. The Keluang is named after the giant flying fox that used to be found in abundance here at one point but due to over development and loss of habitat, these species is pretty much endangered here

At age 15, Abdullah bin Abdul Kadir watched as the British Forces marched into Melaka. The year was 1811.British troops were waiting for instructions to be sent off to Java. Stamford Raffles was appointed to be the Lieutenant Governor of Java(1811-1816)

Mersing is a small town located in the east coastal of Johor State. It gains reputation and significance for two reasons, 1) it is the gateway to Tioman Island, which is the paradise for snorkelling and diving activities and 2) It is the one of the major towns located on the main trunk road that links up southern and eastern Johor with the east coast of Pahang state capital Kuantan

Port Dickson or more popularly known as, P.D. is a favourite weekend getaway for KL and Singaporean folks especially those seeking some time away from the hot, stifling cities. Refreshing cool breeze blowing in from the straits and the relaxed environment was one of the reasons for choosing this tiny seaside village as a colonial beach resort.

The Bus and Train system connects Seremban with Kuala Lumpur which is approx. 1hour's drive away and locals choose to stay in Seremban and commute to Kuala Lumpur to work on daily basis because living standard in Seremban is much lower than in Kuala Lumpur.

Singapore is located at the tip of Peninsula Malaysia, connected via 2 causeway links. Passengers will have to alight the coach at one end of immigration and embark at the other end after the Singapore immigration and check point. Don’t forget to bring your passports with you. And as smokers, you are only allowed to bring in an opened packet of cigarettes with you

In the 70's... folks were not allowed to venture further into the Chamang area for fear of communist activities. The beautiful river that leads from Chamang Waterfall was out of bounds to everyone except the army

Jerantut is Taman Negara National Park's most assessible entry point. Roughly 200km from KL or about 2 1/2hrs drive , Jerantut is a small sleepy town that has a few mediocre motels to stay at before making your way to Kuala Tahan and into Taman Negara.

Kuantan is the largest town and the administrative centre for the state of Pahang. It only became Pahang’s state capital in 1955, having been moved by the British Administration from Kuala Lipis. Although a recently established state capital, Kuantan as a town itself has been around for centuries. Some 12th Century manuscripts listed Kuantan as Tan-Ma-Ling , a vassal of the large trading Kingdom of San Fots’I .

Kuala Lipis was once the administrative centre for the British Colony, presiding over the state of Pahang. Today, it's a little town trying to break out of its stigma as a great colonial leftover and failing miserably unfortunately

Lanchang is where the Elephant Centre is located. However, unless absolutely necessary, take the bus to Lanchang. If you have extra budget, take a packaged tour as the walk to the centre may take a while from the main road

Tasik Chini was once a highly revered lake with a mythical dragon lurking in its dark abyss. Today the lake is dying, choked by pesticides leaching from the encroaching oil palm plantation and disrespectful landowners and politicians destroying the lush landscape

Buses from Singapore

Getting to Butterworth takes roughly 10hours from Singapore. It’s a long way away and if you’re thinking of hopping over to Penang Island from Butterworth, then be mindful of the timing as the ferry across to the island stops around 11.30pm

Bus ride from Singapore to Alor Setar , Kedah takes approximately 11hours, depending on traffic conditions on the North-South Highway. Try not to take this travel alternative during festive seasons and public holidays especially Chinese New Year, Hari Raya, New Year etc

Travelling by coach from Singapore all through Peninsula Malaysia and then to Bangkok Thailand takes approximately 28 hours plus several stops. Not the most comfortable mode of travel but you will get to see lots of what these lands are about..

Bidor was one of those sleepy towns where travelers would stop by in the old days for a bite before heading off to Ipoh or Cameron Highlands further on up the trunk road. Nowadays, with the North South Highway taking traffic away, Bidor remains on the map mainly for its food and fruits

The picturesque Malaysian region known as Cameron Highlands has been in existence since it was first discovered by British surveyor, William Cameron in 1885. Its beauty, atmosphere, and temperate climate in comparison to the surrounding areas eventually led to its being made into a hill station in 1925

Changloon is a main border town in Kedah, Malaysia located in the district of Kubang Pasu, about 42 km north from Alor Star. It's one of those tiny towns that have been unpreparedly pulled into 21st Century

Genting Highlands is home to a variety of beautiful hotels that run wide range of hotels from luxury resort to budget accommodations, the better to serve a full range of economic classes. Over the years, many additional attractions and even amusement park-style rides have been added for the enjoyment of the people. These attractions include but are not limited to options like Space Shot, Snow World, and a Ripley’s Believe It or Not museum

Gopeng is a little sleepy town at the edge of Perak's rainforest and limestone mountain range. This is the starting point into a variety of outdoor and camping activities such as jungle trekking, white water rafting, caving, waterfall abseiling, ecotourism activities and more

Grik used to be the last little shanty town before the vast jungles began and the communists reign of the area prevailed.From the 1990s onwards , there have been massive changes - intense logging, wildlife poaching and just a lot of underground activities has changed this town into an even dodgier one than it used to be. Photo courtesy of MNS (Malaysia Nature Society)

It takes roughly 13hours to get to Hatyai from Singapore on a good day. Being just 1hour plus from the border check point of Padang Besar, Malaysia, Hatyai is a popular food and shopping destination for Malaysians. The Chinese influence on the 3rd largest metropolitan area of Thailand is visible in its economy, its culture, its food.

Ipoh, once a prosperous mining town where drinks flowed in the evenings, the parties continued right through the night and post war freedom was taken to its heights. Today, considered the place to visit for its variety of local Chinese cuisine, this town in finally coming to its own again after decades of lull.

Johor Bahru can be reached by air by flying to Senai International Airport which is located 28 kilometers from the city. Reasonably priced domestic flights are also available. Johor Bahru is accessible by car, bus or train from neighboring countries such as Singapore. Once in Johor Bahru it is easy to travel around by taxi. Make sure that the driver turns on the meter or alternatively negotiate a price before starting on your journey.

Kampar a small town located just 45minutes drive south of Ipoh. A significant history being rich with tin ore in the late 1800s and the location of a fierce battle (Battle of Kampar at the Green Ridge) between involving British and Indian troops from the 11th Indian Infantry Division and the Japanese. Remnants of the battle site-its trenches and trails can still be found

KLIA2 is also known as KLIA low cost carrier terminal servicing airlines such as Air Asia, FireFlies , Malindo Air and other low cost airlines. It is also connected to the main international airport KLIA via KLIA transit trains, or by bus eg cityliner

Don’t just stay in the city, but make trips into the surroundings. You’ll find wonderful temples, large Buddha’s which is peculiar because there are more than 30 Buddhist temples throughout Kelantan. Mostly near the Thai border. This is a surprising number considering Muslims make up 95 per cent of the population. Explore the beautiful caves. Make a boat trip up the river, which departs in Kuala Krai. In Kota Bharu you must see the beautiful market.

Kuala Besut jetty is the more popular exit point to the Perhentian Islands. Most outstation buses stop at Jertih (Jerteh) enroute to/from Kota Bahru. From Jertih, take a taxi to Kuala Besut only 20minutes drive away.

Kuala Kangsar is the royal town of the state of Perak. It is the town where the first Conference of Rulers, the Durbar, was held in 1897, the first rubber tree was planted which would later change the entire landscape of Malaysia, where the first Malaysian scout troop was established and also where the Kuala Kangsar Malay College stands

Mersing has expanded in recent years into a busy coastal town, gaining reputation as gateway to some of the most beautiful islands in Peninsular Malaysia. Droplets of islands dimple the waters just off Johore&;s coastline.

But ironically, Taiping was built on money, greed, power and was embalmed in civil wars, spilt blood and sufferings. In the late 1800's , Malaya was a treasure island dripping with riches off leaves of the trees with timber, tin and other natural resources aplenty and many Chinese were brought in from China to mine for tin.

Tanjung Malim is a town just outside of Selangor approximately 1hour 15min drive from downtown KL. The Tanjung Malim Pau is famous so much so that before the highway was built, almost everyone driving into TM would stop over to savour the savoury or sweet pau

Buses and Coaches - Borneo Malaysia

Bandar Seri Begawan is positively packed with major museums and other cultural centers. Visit the Royal Mausoleum, the Royal Ceremonial Hall, Sharif Ali’s Tomb, or Bolkiah’s Tomb for an inside look at some of the highlights of the local history, as well as a chance at some truly spectacular photo ops of local landmarks.

The capital of Bintulu District, Bintulu is a bustling but quaint coastal town located in Sarawak. It is located in close geographical proximity to other Malaysian tourist destinations and cultural centres of note, including Sibu, Miri, and Mukah

Kuching is known among travelers as a wonderfully diverse and fascinating city one of the most delightful in all of Eastern Malaysia. It is known for such attractions as the Sarawak Cultural Village and the majestically beautiful Bako National Park. The city’s most noteworthy signature attraction is the Rainforest Music Festival

Like many of the smaller towns and villages in Eastern Malaysia’s Sarawak region, Lawas is most commonly visited by tourists, world travelers, and other types of visitors as a stopping point between larger cities. Prior to the 1990s, Lawas (along with neighboring Limbang) was considered a go-to place for “sinful” venues like dive bar-style pubs and rundown massage parlors.

Limbang is best known as a border town in East Malaysia’s Sarawak region on the island of Borneo. It is also culturally relevant as the capital of the larger Limbang District. Limbang itself was first made a part of Sarawek in 1890 when it was annexed from Brunei by the then Rajah of Sarawek, Charles Anthoni Brooke

Serian district straddles the Kuching are and the border with Kalimantan. Tebedu (renamed Bandar Mutiara), located about 50 kilometres from Serian town, is one of only two official land border crossings between Indonesia and Malaysia.

The major claim to fame of the town of Sibu is the annual Borneo Cultural Festival. The festival itself is held every July and was originally established to celebrate and showcase the diverse ethnic make-up of the region Chinese, Malay, and Dayak

:ahad Datu is the entry point into Sabah's Natural sites... those not touched by loggers ie Danum Valley , Tabin Wildlife Reserve and The only untouched piece of rainforest left in Borneo Malaysia - the Maliau Basin

At Kota Kinabalu, apart from the usual city views, smells and urban thrills, there are interesting nature treks and water activities at Kiansom area, Penampang area, the Tunku Abdul Rahman National Park and not to leave out a challenging climb up Mount Kinabalu, the highest mountain in Malaysia.

To board the bus to Menumbok from Kota Kinabalu, you have to go to the City Park Terminal to board the bus. The distance between Kota Kinabalu to Menumbok is around 155km and it will take 2 hour to travel between these 2 places.

Sandakan 's old town was built along a narrow strip of land in a sheltered bay on the north eastern part of Sabah . Most visitors to Sandakan arrive with an agenda. This town isn't one to visit for the sake of taking in the sights. Early writers regaled the unmatched beauty of Sandakan bay looking out into the vast Sulu Sea.

Pontianak is the capital of the Indonesian province of West Kalimantan. This trading port is located at the delta of the Kapuas River and is positioned just 3km south of the equator line. iIt is also known as Kota Khatulistiwa (Equator City)

If you're planning to go to the islands during the Full Moon or when there is no moon, then be warned that there will be very extreme tidal conditions ie very high hightides and very low lowtides so boats may have difficulty leaving or entering the Mersing jetty. You may have to wait quite a while for the tidal change